At the same time, there will be a lucky draw for fans at the game and Warriors new apparel sponsor SVOLME wants to reward fans for their ardent support for the S.League by offering attractive discounts for SVOLME apparels. Be sure to look out for their booth at the 2nd Level entrance on all matchdays!

Monday, March 25, 2013

With the Warriors beaten by Balestier Khalsa 2-0 at the Toa Payoh
Stadium, it mean the Warriors have lost 3 matches in the league and are strucked in the bottom 3.

Along with that, there are also two defeats in the AFC Cup to Semen Padang and Kitchee and it meant the Warriors are having their worst season since the inception of the S-league.

Selvaraj, in his first season as a head coach of a
top-flight side, admits he is now feeling the heat.

"It's very hard," he admitted. "A lot of the pressure and the heat is really on me.

"But I would never want to pass this pressure on to any of my players. I don't think that's fair.

"I think we lost this game in the first half. By the time we tried our best to come back we were left with a mountain to climb."

The
ex-Singapore international, who was promoted to the top job at the end
of last season after being assistant to former boss Richard Bok, also
identified their failure to burst out of the blocks as a reason for
Warriors' poor performances thus far.

"The thing is we are taking a bit too long to settle down," Selvaraj explained. "Especially in the first half.
"That's the one thing we have to look at. Both goals were due to a lapse in concentration.

"Credit to my players, they did their best and worked very hard. We were better in the second half.

"Our
movement was better, we closed down players and won a lot of loose
balls. We had better possession than Balestier and created a few chances
but just couldn't put the ball into the net, just like in the [1-0 loss
to] Tampines [Rovers]."

Selvaraj also expressed his belief that
his side were missing a number of key players, after marquee signing
Kazuyuki Toda was once again sidelined by a minor injury, while
left-back Zulfadli Zainal Abidin is still out with a long-term problem.

"I
agree we were missing a few key players," he added. "Three of my
defenders are out so I'm trying my best with a makeshift side to bring
out the best out of the rest of the boys.

"If you ask me, had
Toda and Zulfadli played, as well as [Syed] Fadhil, it would have made
my defence more stable and it would have been better than what he had
tonight [Sunday].

"Vida [Marin Vidosevic] was also suspended so
that's four key defensive players that I had to do without, but that's
not an excuse. The rest of them still tried like [Syaiful] Iskandar and
Ruzaini [Zainal], who's coming back from a long-term injury.

"It's
tough to go down, win one game [against Geylang] and go down again but I
take it positively. Tonight [Sunday], we came back in the second half
but just couldn't score the goals.

"We just need to have the same mentality, work rate and belief from the beginning of the game."

The
Choa Chu Kang outfit have an excellent chance to get back to
winning ways on Thursday when they entertain bottom side Courts Young
Lions but Selvaraj does not want to put too much pressure on them
picking up a much-needed three points, especially with their congested
fixture schedule.

"Considering the fixtures, we can't really
train much," he said. "Tonight [Sunday] we play, tomorrow [Monday] we'll
probably do a short recovery session and then we only have two more
training sessions before we play Young Lions.

"After Young Lions
on Thursday, we're leaving for India [for next Tuesday's AFC Cup game
against Churchill Brothers] and when we come back, we're playing Harimau
Muda two days later. After that comes April and it starts again.

"We're
playing six to seven matches a month in total and I definitely the rest
[of my injured players] to be back as soon as possible.

"Honestly, I do not want to add pressure on my players - let's not talk about winning. We'll take it one step at a time.

"Based
on the last two matches against Tampines and Balestier, we definitely
need to settle down early in the game so I'll need to look into that."

The S-League have overturned the results of the recent four matches
that involved the Courts Young Lions namely, against Hougang United
on 20 February, Tampines Rovers on 28 February, Brunei DPMM on 7
March and Balestier Khalsa on 13 March 2013.

It was found that the
Courts Young Lions fielded ineligible players in these four matches. The
team’s opponents in each of these four matches will be awarded a 3-0
win.

Mr Kok Wai Leong, S-League Director of Operations said
“Under S-League rules, all players need to fulfil all the necessary
registration criteria such as valid local or international transfer
certificates, fitness test and medical screenings. However, the small
group of players who are full-time National Servicemen are further
required to obtain written approval from their respective relevant
authorities. This was not conducted for some of the affected players in
Courts Young Lions.”

S-League has also conducted another check
on the records of players serving their national service in all other
S.League clubs and found that everything is in order. None of the other
S-League matches that have been played were affected.

Mr
Asadullah Mohd, Team Manager of Courts Young Lions said, “We sincerely
apologise for the administrative oversight on our part and we accept the
punishment the S-League management has meted out to us. We appreciate
the fans’ support thus far and hope they will continue to support us in
the season ahead.”

Mr Ridzal Saat, FAS Deputy Director of
Development and Planning, said “We are deeply sorry for the admin lapse
on the part of our officials and we have taken immediate measures to
rectify the problem. We acknowledge the severity of the issue and will
be taking internal disciplinary action against officials found to be
negligent in their duties."

Tanjong Pagar United coach Patrick Vallee had words of praise for his team and their vanquished opponents for contributing to what turned out to be one of this season's most-entertaining encounters so far.

"I'm very happy because my team played a very good game," he said. "But I must thank Hougang because they also played a good game.

"I think you need both teams to contribute in order for a good game and that's what happened tonight [Friday]. Luckily for us, we won but Hougang played very well and games like this are good for the S.League."

Although there was plenty for the Frenchman to be happy about, he did rue his side's inability to keep a clean sheet for the fifth straight game, albeit with a smile on his face.

"I said to my players before the game that I wanted a clean sheet tonight [Friday]," Vallee revealed. "For me, I'm very happy when we keep a clean sheet because it means you are guaranteed at least one point.
"I'm very happy with what we did in the second half, not but not so happy with the first half. But in the second half, I'm very happy with the fighting spirit and winning mentality the players showed.

"Trailing 1-0 then 2-1, it's not easy and it takes time to come back, but that's what my team did."

With his side now guaranteed a place in the top three for at least another week, Vallee confirmed they have met the target he set for them at the five-game mark of the campaign, and is now looking to the future.

"I don't care about the last two games [a draw and defeat to Harimau Muda and Home United respectively]," the Frenchman added.

"I gave them one objective when we started the season - to get 10 points out of 15 from the first five games. If we could do that, it would be very good.

"Maybe everybody was upset after last week's defeat, but I told my players we are always looking at the objective. I knew if we won tonight it would be okay and that turned out to be the case.

"It's important to focus on your objective when you have one and ours meant we could afford one draw and one defeat [in the opening five games]. Of course, it's better if we can get more points.

"But now we have met our objective, we can work towards our next one."

Sunday, March 24, 2013

After a brilliant start to the season scoring 9 goals and winning full points against Balestier Khalsa and Warriors FC, Tanjong Pagar United then slumped to score only one and win only 1 point from their next two - Harimau Muda and Home United.

Now they have got their season back on track with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Hougang United.

The Cheetahs had taken the lead twice from Robert Eziakor and Hasree Zais against the Jaguars who showed their weakness in defence.

Both times the Jaguars could not deal with the Cheetahs physical play and heading prowess.

At the same time, the Jaguars showed the strength and why they scored 9 goals in their first two matches as they hit back both times and then go on to grab all 3 points. In term of attack, the Jaguars can rival any of the best attacking team in the league as Hafiz and then Frenchman Ismael Benahmed - two goals - grabbed their chances.

The Jaguars go up to third in the table.

In other matches, Albirex Niigata (S) and Tampines Rovers remain perfect teams in the S-league as they won their fifth and fourth match respectively in a row.

Albirex Niigata (S) defeated Courts Young Lions 1-0 with the winner from Kazuki Sakamoto. Tampines also won their match 1-0 with a goal from Khariul Amri.

Home United have finally opened their account in the 2013 S-league season

They defeated second-placed Tanjong Pagar United 3-0 to achieve their first win of the season and it will no doubt bring relief to their Korean coach Paul Lee who has been under the microscope since reports emerged that he had driven away his assistant Akihiro Nakamura.

And with results not going his way, doubts were cast if the Home management had done the correct thing to retain the Korean last season after a disaster 2012 season which looked to repeat itself in 2013.

Jordan Webb, Sirina Camara and Lee Kwan Woo got the goals.

In other matches, both matches saw draw as Balestier drew 1-1 with Courts Young Lions and Hougang drew 0-0 with Woodlands.

The Cubs had taken the lead through Sherif EL-Masri before Qiu Li equalised for the Tigers.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

With the Warriors now not having won their opening 5 matches of the 2013 season and along with that the Warriors also lost their last game of the 2012 season against Geylang, that mean they have not won in 6 games.

The Choa Chu Kang club have never gone on such a run before in their history since the S-league started.

The previous record was only 'achieved' last season as the Warriors did not win their first 3 games of the 2012 season and also did not win any of their last two of 2011.

Tampines Rovers have opened their account in the AFC Cup as they drew 3-3 with Selangor at Shah Alam Stadium.

With both teams having lost their opening game, this was a game neither side can afford to lose and it showed as the home side took the lead three times yet Tampines Rovers showcased their fighting spirit to battle it back to 3-3.

With the other game in the group also a draw between Saigon Xuan Thanh and East Bengal, the door is still wide open for Tampines Rovers.

Aleksandar Duric, Imran Sahib and Yamashita Kunihiro got the goals.

For the Warriors though, they faced elimination as early as the next game as they fall to their second defeat in as many games.

This was despite the Warriors taking a two goal lead at half-time thanks to Erwan Gunawan and Inui Tatsuro.

They threw it all away after the break as they conceded 4 goals without reply in a dramatic collapse that may cost the AFC Cup knockout stage.

Now they have to virtually win all their matches on hand as 10 points may be needed to get to the next round.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Tanjong Pagar UnitedJ celebrate a
financial boost with local food and beverage company Field Catering
& Supplies stumping up a one-year sponsorship deal.

The deal, at S$100,000, will see the club’s
jerseys emblazoned with SINGA, the brand name of Field Catering’s
newly-introduced energy drink.

This is Field Catering’s second
association with the Jaguars, having been their club sponsor when the
club entered the S-League in its inaugural season in 1996 as Tiong Bahru
United.

The company has also, since 2003, been a sponsor for the S-League with the distribution of Polar Natural Mineral Water.

“We
have chosen the Jaguars … because of our good relations and our early
ties with the club ... We remain committed to grow with Singapore
football and we foresee this will be a great partnership for a long
time,” said Chew Thye Chuan, Managing Director of Field Catering &
Supplies.

S-League Chief Executive Officer Lim Chin added: “They
are calling it a French Revolution at Tanjong Pagar, good attendance at
their matches, a fiery coach and players who are motivated.

“From
an able chairman to a very committed management committee, a good
general manager and all things gelling together, things are certainly
happening for the club.”

"If
Shahrulrizal hadn’t been injured, I could have put another forward but I
was forced into using up my substitutions early. He suffered a knock to
his meniscus and could face six weeks out."

The Croat was not disappointed by his side's showing in the game though and felt that they had done enough to register a draw.

"We
played an open, attacking game but were let down by [Stephane] Auvray’s
mistake [for the first goal] but I’m still proud of my local players
[from Brunei], some of whom are just mere kids," he continued.

"My
players constantly pressed the Albirex men and it looked like we would
score any minute. They worked very hard, especially after Shahrulrizal’s
injury.

"I’d rather that we impress while losing instead of winning in a poor game. It gives me hope for the future."

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Home United coach Lee Lim-saeng admits he will have difficulty going to sleep following the 2-0 home loss to Woodlands Wellington.

The Protectors once
again failed to fire as they succumbed to the Rams, who finished bottom
of the pile in the last three campaigns.

Speaking after the game,
Lee insisted he was to blame for the result.

"This result is my fault," he said. "I will definitely take responsibility for it as the coach.

"I won't be able to sleep tonight [Tuesday] as I will be thinking about the team."

While the Korean coach took responsible for the result, one also feel he is at fault for his own problems as he drove top marksman Frederic Mendy out claiming he does not want the Frenchman in his side.

That is why despite their dominance in possession, the
Protectors had nothing to show for it and with only one goal in 3 matches, they must wished that the Frenchman had remained

Especially as the ex-Korea Republic international admits it is
something they will have to work on.

Home United lost their second match in row and the second in their opening three matches.

This time it was to Woodlands Wellington as the Rams hit through former Protectors Rosman Sulaiman and their marquee man Khalid Hamdaoui.

The former Moroccan international is proving his worth to the Northern club as this is the third match in a row he has hit the target and how Home United must wish they have somebody like him on their side.

The Protectors have only scored once in three matches despite the numerous chances they have continued to create in matches.

One can say they have not played badly but the game is decided on goals and at this moment they cannot scored to save their skins.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Both Warriors FC and Tampines Rovers lost their opening match in the AFC Cup.

The Warriors went down 1-3 to Semen Padang in Indonesia and deservedly so as the Indonesian Copa Indonesia Champions conducted waves and waves of attack against the Choa Chu Kang side defence who was missing time and time again.

If not for Hassan Sunny, it will have been a drubbing but he was helpless against the 3 goals scored by the Indonesia.

Japanese midfielder Tatsuro Inui scored for the Warriors.

As for Tampines Rovers, they must have wonder why they did not get anything from the game as they had more than enough ample chances to equalise when a goal down but yet both Khairul Amri and Sead Hadzibulic will miss them all.

The Eastern giant will pay for it as Saigon Xuan Thanh will scored two more goals before Khairul Amri and then Aleksandar Duric reply.